Pages

Monday, July 16, 2012

The 2012/13 Fixtures

Arsenal's 2012/13 season kicks off at the Emirates against Sunderland. The following is the up-to-date fixture list as of 13 July 2012, including all the League Cup (which is apparently called the Capital One Cup this season), the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup dates.

The first six Premier-League games look tough, especially with those against Manchester City and Chelsea sandwiched by the Champions League games, but they are in the same situation. Away games at the Britania Stadium are always difficult. However, with the two major summer signings joining the rest of the squad from the beginning of the pre-season, they should have enough time to settle in and we should be able to avoid the repeat of the last season's disastrous start. For that reason, we have to sort out the RVP situation quickly. If he leaves (we think Arsenal should sell him for the right price), we have to re-invest the proceeds from his sale into a new player or two and give the team time to gel together. If we had had those deadline signings from the beginning of the pre-season, we could have challenged for the title last season.

Over the period from January to early February, when we usually suffer a drop in form, we will have the almost identical run of games as at the beginning of the season, only in a different order. If we are fighting on the all four fronts, January could prove to be a very hectic month. The whole squad needs to stay fit and sharp over this period.

The last match of the season is an away game against Newcastle, which won't be easy, but hopefully, whatever is at stake at that time (the title would be nice), it should have been decided before the last game. We certainly don't want the situation where everything hangs on this match. It is a shame that the last game is away again as I always like the end-of-the-season lap of appreciation to take place after the end of the last game. The lap of appreciation after the end of the penultimate game is not the same. This is going to be the third last game of the season away in a row.

Other dates to note are north London derbies: Saturday 17 November at home 12:45 (English time) kick-off and Saturday 2 March at the White Hart Lane (this game is highly likely to be rescheduled for the convenience of TV companies). Our annual Benidorm trip may be organised around the time of the latter match as we did earlier this year. Alternatively, if we go all the way, the Capital One Cup final on Sunday 24 February could be the focal point of our Benidorm trip next year as it was in 2011.

At the Las Mimosas bar, our usual venue, games against Manchester United are as big as north London derbies as there is rivalry between us and Man U fans. These dates are Saturday 3 November at Old Trafford and Saturday 27 April at home.

Lastly, we don't like to look too far ahead, but cannot help mentioning that the reward of going all the way to the final in the Champions League this season is playing in the Wembly Stadium. Flying into London to watch Arsenal in the Champions League final would be the highlight of the coming season for us without doubt.